“Show Me City” is set to serve up ace tennis programs & tournaments

Photo courtesy of Missouri CityMissouri City is set to serve up ace tennis programs and tournaments for players and spectators of all ages at the Recreation and Tennis Center, 2701 Cypress Point Dr.

Missouri City is set to serve up some family fun this year with ace tennis programs and tournaments for players and spectators of all ages.

The Recreation and Tennis Center, located at 2701 Cypress Point Dr., will be center court for the exciting matches. The facility offers classes at affordable rates for players of all skill levels. And, qualified teaching staff provides individual private lessons and group instruction for two to eight people of the same skill level. Courts are also available for league play and open play. Presently 28 leagues, totaling 343 participants, utilize the Center during the week.

“We have a year-round Junior Program for ages 4 to 18,” said Tennis Director Shirley Mendoza, who coached TEAM USA in the 2011 Special Olympic Games in Athens and led Duchesne Academy to three consecutive High School State Championships in 2010, 2011 and 2012. “Involving children in tennis at an early age is key to developing lifelong tennis players.”

Since the Recreation and Tennis Center’s grand opening six months ago, a total of 21 young people have participated in the Junior Program and 46 have learned the game.

Mendoza added that the “center has four courts with blended lines to better accommodate those aged 10 and under. We teach all levels from beginner to competitive tournament players; so, get your kids active by learning a sport of a lifetime!”

And, future plans call for an Adaptive Tennis for Special Populations program that will offer free lessons from March through May, as well as a Run/Roll Tournament for special populations that would include wheelchair participants through the Missouri City Community Tennis Association and USTA.

Tennis lessons at the Center, 2701 Cypress Point Dr., range from $60 to $65 for a 1-hour private lesson; $32 to $35 for a semi-private lesson; $32 to $35 for a 30-minute session; $46 to $49 for a 45-minute session; $25 to $26 for a group lesson for three; $18 to $20 for a group lesson for four; $18 to $20 for a group lesson for five, and $15 to $18 for a group lesson for six. Tennis court usage fees are $6 per 90 minutes for the general public and $7 per 90 minutes for leagues and tournaments.

Additionally, residents are encouraged to visit the Center and cheer on the following matches and tournaments to be hosted throughout the year:

Event: Varsity and Junior Varsity Tennis Matches
Host: Fort Bend Independent School District
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dates: Feb. 15; Feb. 26 and March 26
Details: Kids will compete in the Spring Team Tennis format. Varsity teams that hold the best record throughout the season will qualify for State Competition in Austin.

Event: Varsity and Junior Varsity Tennis Matches
Host: Emery Weiner
Date: Feb. 21
Time: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Details: Emery Weiner private school will host their Varsity and Junior Varsity matches. Varsity teams that hold the best record throughout the season will qualify for the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools State Championships in Waco.

Event: Friday Night Mixer at the Missouri City Recreation and Tennis Center
Host: Staff Pros
Date: Feb. 22
Time: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Details: Our Friday night Doubles Mixer will help you relax after a long work week. Join us for a few casual rounds of doubles, food and great people!

Event: Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce of Young Professionals
Host: Staff Pros and Quail Valley Golf Course
Date: March 28
Time: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Details: The Recreation and Tennis Center and Quail Valley Golf Course are teaming up to offer a tennis and golf event for FBCC of Young Professionals. Participants will either play a few rounds of doubles or a quick 9 holes followed by a happy hour at the City Centre at 5 p.m.

Event: Missouri City Community Tennis Association Tennis Tournament
Host: Missouri City Community Tennis Association
Dates: March 8 to March 10
Time: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Details: Missouri City Community Tennis Association will host a tournament for everyone in the family. Juniors, Adults, Senior and Super Senior events will be offered. To sign up for the tournament go to: tennislink.usta.com and enter Tournament ID #: 809674113.

Event: Houston Ladies Tennis Association FUN Tennis Tournament
Host: Houston Ladies Tennis Association and Tennis Staff
Date: March 21
Time: 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Details: The Houston Ladies Tennis Association will host one of their FUN tournaments. The FUN tournaments are a great way for league ladies to get together and enjoy good competition on a non-league day. Levels offered: A, B & C players. Watch the City website: www.missouricitytx.gov for more details.

Event: Houston Tennis Association Houston Open Adults
Host: Houston Tennis Association
Dates: March 29 to April 1
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Details: This tournament is open to all Adults from 3.0 to Open divisions. This is a long-standing tournament in the tennis community. Come out to watch the action, or get in the action and sign up for the tournament. To register go to: tennislink.usta.com and enter Tournament ID #: 800034513

Event: Houston Tennis Association Super Champ Major Zone 16s & 18s
Host: Houston Tennis Association
Dates: May 18 to May 19
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Details: Texas juniors playing at the Super Champ Level are among the best in the State. These juniors have passed two other stages of junior competition, Zonal Advancement Tournaments (ZATs) & Championship making it to the elite level of competition. Don’t be surprised if you see recruiters watching these collegiate-bound athletes competing for their state rankings.

Event: Houston Tennis Association Champ Major Zone
Host: Houston Tennis Association
Dates: July 6 to July 7
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Details: Texas juniors playing at the Championship Level are competing for qualifying points to make it to the elite level of Texas junior competition: Super Championship level.

Event: Houston Tennis Association ZAT Tournaments
Host: Houston Tennis Association
Dates: Sept. 7 to Sept. 8; Dec. 7 to Dec. 8
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Details: The Zonal Advancement Tournaments (ZATs) are held throughout the state of Texas for junior tennis players as part of a state ranking system. Players who have a permanent residency in Texas and are not already qualified can participate in ZAT tournaments. Playing ZAT tournaments is the first step toward achieving a Texas state ranking.

Event: Houston Tennis Association Fall Festival Adults
Host: Houston Tennis Association
Dates: Oct. 4 to Oct. 6
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Details: This tournament is open to all Adults from 3.0 to Open divisions. This is a long-standing tournament in the tennis community. Come out to watch the action, or get in the action and sign up for the tournament. . To register go to: tennislink.usta.com and enter Tournament ID #: 800017413

“We’re excited about our robust tennis programs and are fortunate to have strong community connections and a highly qualified tennis staff,” said Parks & Recreation Director Larry Foos. “All of our tennis pros are certified teaching professionals with many years of experience. Additionally, they are well-known in the immediate area and will continue to grow our tennis program and put our facility on the tennis map.”

For more information, click here call Mendoza at 281-403-8629. For a detailed list of lesson prices, please visit the city’s website: www.missouricitytx.gov.